Masked gunmen open fire in TV studio live on air after drug kingpin’s escape sparks state of emergency in Ecuador

HOODED gunmen have hijacked a live television broadcast in Ecuador and taken staff members hostage.

Live television footage broadcast from Ecuador’s TC station in Guayaquil showed hooded gunmen storming the set, waving guns and threatening people.

EPA

Hooded gunmen have stormed a live television broadcast in Ecuador[/caption]

Shots could be heard as some of the gunmen told staff members to lie on the ground.

One gunman was reportedly heard saying: “We are on the air so that they know we do not play with the mafia”.

Another hooded man has been alleged to have left a stick of dynamite in the television station’s reception area.

The incident comes after one of Ecuador’s most notorious drug kingpins escaped from prison.